No dog likes having bloodsucking parasites on its skin, and yet, many of our furry friends are full of them. We are, of course, talking about some of the most stubborn, irritating and dangerous parasites out there – fleas and ticks. Not only are these little buggers unhygienic and itch and scratch-inducing, but they can cause a variety of serious health issues for both your pet and you, including red and inflamed skin, hair or fur loss, allergies, Lyme disease and even plague (bubonic plague, for example, is still an issue in some parts of the U.S.).

Thankfully, you can treat your pet with pills and spot-on treatments, flea removal shampoos, and other anti-flea and anti-tick formulations. The downside of such treatments is that they’re messy and very time-consuming. Also, some topically applied treatments pose potential health risks to your pet if ingested. Luckily, there is such a thing as effortless, mess-free and safe flea and tick removal and protection- flea collars. Reliable flea and tick collars are quick and easy solutions to the annoying pests problems, as they offer mild but round-the-clock protection for your pooch without requiring much (if any) of your time and effort. Here, you’ll find some of the best flea collars for dogs, both in terms of their efficiency and price so be sure to check out our Top Picks to find the product that’s just right for you and your pet.

The Best Flea Collar For Dogs

1

Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar for Large Dogs

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One of the most popular flea and tick collars on the market, the Seresto is not only veterinarian-recommended but designed to offer a whopping 8 months of continuous protection. So how is this cute little collar able to do that? It’s all down to the formula it uses – a combination of Flumethrin 4.5% and Imidacloprid 10% – as well as its revolutionary design which not only allows the collar to release the medicine in small and steady doses over your pet’s body, but to replenish itself as it wears off. This makes the collar highly efficient at killing fleas and ticks through contact. And that’s not even all – the Seresto collar is effective even against flea larvae and lice.

Conveniently, this 8 month flea collar is non-greasy and odorless so it won’t bother your dog or you. It’s also water-resistant which means it can be worn during baths and showers, as well as occasional swimming. However, the manufacturer does say that in order for the collar to remain effective throughout eight months, dogs should not be bathed more than once per month.

Key Features:

Contains Flumethrin 4.5% and Imidacloprid – 10%

Kills and repels fleas, ticks, larvae and lice

Effective for 8 months

Water-resistant, non-greasy, odorless

Recommended by veterinarians

Specification:

BrandBayer (Seresto)

Model85588303

Weight2.08 ounces

2

Arava – Dead Sea Pet Spa Flea & Tick Prevention Collar

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Natural flea and tick prevention collars are perfectly safe not only for pets and humans but for the environment too. The only drawback? They’re usually not as effective as collars that use harsher chemicals. However, Arava – Dead Sea Pet Spa collar is an exception. This collar uses 100% natural herbal ingredients and essential oils to kill and repel fleas and ticks and keep your pooch itch and scratch-free. And that’s not all – the device uses patented micro-injection technology to slowly but steadily infuse essential oils into the collar, thereby making it last for a long time – 5 months, to be precise. If you’re wondering what essential oils are used, it’s Geranium, Peppermint, Clove, Cinnamon, Thyme, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Eastern Red Cedar, Citronella, Soybean and Castor.

The collar contains no pesticides, and is FDA certified and MSDS tested, ensuring absolute safety for your dog and you. In fact, some of these oils are used in aromatherapy, so it’s a win-win! It’s also waterproof, which is great news for pups who love to run around in the rain.

Key Features:

Contains 11 active botanical ingredients

Prevents fleas and ticks

Lasts up to 5 months

Safe and natural

Waterproof, fresh scent

Specification:

BrandArava – Dead Sea Pet Spa

Weight0.6 ounces

3

Harky Dog Flea Collar

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Another eco-friendly flea collar, Harky uses a blend of natural oils, including Eucalyptus and Citronella, to protect dogs from fleas, ticks and other pests. Perfectly safe for pets and humans as well as the environment, this device is an economical way to prevent those pesky buggers from infesting your beloved pooch. Best of all? It lasts up to eight months and is fully adjustable – you can even trim it if it’s too long for your dog. The collar’s unique design ensures the ingredients are released gradually throughout the dog’s hair and skin surface during the entire eight months.

So how do these natural oils work, anyway? With their antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties, these oils repel pests and insects while keeping your pooch safe and sound. This includes fleas, ticks, mosquitos, lice and larvae. It also helps they smell good! Another plus of the Harky collar is that it’s waterproof, which means you don’t have to worry if your pet gets wet, whether from rain or from swimming.

Key Features:

Contains natural oils

Repels fleas, ticks, mosquitos, lice and larvae

Effective up to 8 months

Natural and safe

Waterproof

Specification:

BrandHarky

4

Jmxu’s Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs

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If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, veterinarian-recommended flea and tick dog collar, you need to check out the Jmxu’s collar. This product uses natural ingredients, including oils and plant extracts to repel and prevent fleas, ticks, lice, mosquitoes and larvae from infesting your pet. Some of the ingredients are Jojoba oil, Grapeseed oil, Almond oil and several essential oils, including Eucalyptus, Pine Needle and Cedarwood oil. Being on the natural side, this collar is not designed for killing parasites but for preventing them. However, it lasts for a long time – eight months, to be precise. This is thanks to its design which allows active ingredients to be released slowly and steadily over the animal’s body for the entire time.

The Jmxu’s flea collar is waterproof, meaning it will stay effective even if your pooch gets wet for whatever reason. Still, to keep the collar highly effective for as long as possible, it’s a good idea to bathe your dog once per month at the most. The collar has a unique and pleasant fragrance thanks to the oils it contains, which is always a plus.

Key Features:

Contains natural oils

Prevents fleas, ticks, lice, larvae and mosquitos

Lasts up to 8 months

Waterproof

Specification:

BrandJmxu’s

5

Adams Flea and Tick Collar for Dogs

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Cheap, with effective active ingredients – what more do you need in a flea collar? Using 14.55% of Tetrachlorvinphos and 1.02% of (S)-Methoprene (and 84.43% other ingredients), the Adams flea collar for dogs kills fleas and ticks and kills and prevents flea eggs and larvae. Basically, it’s an anti-flea treatment and prevention in one. The design of the collar ensures the ingredients are gradually released onto the fur of the dog, over the course of seven months. This means the collar offers a 24/7 flea and tick control over a long period of time – perfect for busy pet parents! However, it’s good to know that Tetrachlorvinphos, although effective against fleas and ticks, can be irritating to some pets.

Importantly, the collar is also water-resistant, meaning you don’t have to worry about the rain – in fact, you can take your pet for an occasional swim while he wears this collar, as water won’t affect its effectiveness. But just to be sure – it’s advisable to wash your pet no more than once per month, as lots of water and shampoo can dilute the device’s active ingredients.

Key Features:

Kills and prevents fleas, ticks, flea eggs and larvae

Contains Tetrachlorvinphos 14.55% and (S)-Methoprene 1.02%

Lasts up to 7 months

Waterproof

Specification:

BrandAdams

Model100524189

Weight1.28 ounces

6

Hartz UltraGuard Plus Flea & Tick Collar for Puppies and Dogs

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If you’re looking for ultra-affordable but long-lasting flea and tick prevention for your 12 weeks+ puppy or a dog, you’ve found it – the Hartz Ultra Guard Plus collar kills and repels parasites for up to seven months at an incredibly affordable price. Plus, it kills and prevents flea eggs, thereby preventing re-infestation that’s unfortunately very familiar to many pet parents. The collar uses Tetrachlorvinphos 14.55% and S-Methoprene 1.02% as its active ingredients, and although these are quite effective against parasites, Tetrachlorvinphos may be too irritating for some dogs. However, this is entirely individual and may be perfectly gentle for your pet. The flea and tick collar has a unique design which enables it to work for seven long months.

The device is water-resistant, meaning it will remain active even when your dog goes swimming or gets caught in the rain or you decide to give him a bath. Just remember, the more baths your pooch gets while wearing the collar, the less effective it will be, so keep them to a safe number: once per month. This easy alternative to traditional topical treatments has a fresh scent so your pooch (and you) won’t be bothered.

Key Features:

Contains Tetrachlorovinphos 14.55%, S-Methoprene 1.02%

Kills and repels fleas, flea eggs and ticks

Lasts up to 7 months

Water-resistant, fresh scent

Specification:

BrandHartz

Model3270094267

Weight1.44 ounces

7

PawCrew Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs

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If you want only super-safe flea collars that are also eco-friendly, we’re sure you’ve noticed there’s not a lot of options out there. And when there are, such collars are unfortunately not particularly effective against parasites. Luckily, the PawCrew is an exception. Perfectly safe for dogs as well as the environment, this collar is one of the best flea and tick collars on the market for eco-friendly pet parents. Using 4.5% of Flumethrin and 10% of Imidacloprid, the collar is effective against fleas, ticks, larvaes, lice and mosquitoes for up to eight months – talk about versatility! However, if your pooch is already infested with fleas, the manufacturer recommends getting rid of them with an appropriate treatment such as shampoo or spray first, and then using the collar as a preventative measure.

Importantly, the manufacturer claims the collar is irritation and allergy-free as it relies on the protective properties of herbs, first and foremost. Thanks to its protection composition, the PawCrew collar is water-resistant, which means it will stay effective even during and after baths and occasional swimming.

Key Features:

Contains Flumethrin 4.5% and Imidacloprid 10%

Kills and repels fleas, ticks, larvae, lice and mosquitoes

Effective up to 8 months

Eco-friendly

Water-resistant

Specification:

BrandPawCrew

Weight2.4 ounces

Best Flea Collars For Dogs Buying Guide & FAQ

Though most people think of fleas as annoying and unhygienic, these bloodsucking parasites are much more than just a nuisance. If left untreated for a long period of time, they pose serious health risks not only to your dog, but yourself and your family too. Unfortunately, getting rid of them is anything but easy, especially if your pet is full of them, as this usually means some parts of your house are full of them too. In such cases, pet owners may need professional help to get rid of these irritating pests. Luckily, exterminators know what they’re doing, and they’re able to eradicate these and other parasites quite efficiently and quickly. But how can you prevent flea infestations in the future? Worse yet – what if after a recent professional cleanup you notice fleas sprouting on your dog’s belly?

That’s where flea collars for dogs come in. Instead of giving your dog a monthly anti-flea and anti-tick treatment which can be time-consuming and expensive, you can use flea collars – simple but effective devices that work their magic by simply being around your pet’s neck. How's that for convenience?

But how to find the right flea collar for your dog? With so many collars to choose from, finding the one that’s right for your dog and your wallet can be a bit challenging. But that’s why we’re here – to help you pick the best product, we’ve prepared this handy little buying guide. We've also answered some of the commonly asked questions about fleas collars, canine health and fleas in general, so make sure you check it all out to make the best purchasing decision.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Flea Collar for Your Dog

There are many flea treatments for dogs on the market, including shampoos, spot-ons, wipes, dips, oral medication, and of course, collars. Although they all have their pros and cons (some are more effective than others, some are harsher and some are more expensive), no one can deny the convenience of a flea collar. These little devices are incredibly easy to use, they’re quite effective (depending on the brand and active ingredients it uses) and they’re affordable. Basically, they’re a busy dog owner’s dream come true. But picking the best flea collar for your dog is no easy task. There are several things to consider, including how bad the flea infestation is, how sensitive your dog’s skin and coat are and how much you’re willing to spend. So, without further ado, here are the things you should pay attention to when looking to buy a flea collar.

How bad the infestation is

If your pooch is riddled with fleas and ticks, natural flea collars are not the best option. What you and your pooch need is a super-effective flea collar that uses strong but non-irritating active ingredients and releases them gradually over a long period of time. Of course, if the fleas are really bad, you first need to make sure you kill them with some other treatment, such as an anti-flea and anti-tick shampoo, vacuum your entire house and areas your dog spends time in, and treat them with the solution too. Then, and only then, you should use flea collars which will not only kill remaining adult parasites but larvae too. However, if the fleas are not particularly bad and your pup has sensitive skin, it’s a good idea to use natural, eco-friendly flea collars which do a very good job at preventing flea infestation while being gentle on the animal’s skin and coat.

You and your pet’s preferences

If you like the look of the collar on your dog, then you’ll like flea collars. Not only do they do a great job at killing and repelling parasites, but most of them actually look cute on dogs. But, if you’re not a fan of collars in general, then some other flea treatment may be a better option such as a flea shampoo. Likewise, if you know your dog hates wearing collars, it’s probably not a good idea to make him wear it – he’ll probably find a way to wiggle his way out it anyway.

If you decide the flea collar is a definite yes for your furry companion, it’s important to get the right size. If you buy a size too small, the collar will choke your dog and be uncomfortable to wear. But if you buy a size too big, the device won’t be able to properly release active ingredients throughout your dog’s body, and may actually fall off or snag on things. Luckily, it’s easy to pick the right size as most flea collars come in two sizes: large and small. Large collars are usually designed for canines who weigh over 18 pounds, while small collars are perfect for canines who are lighter than that. Also, pretty much all flea collars on the market are adjustable and some can even be trimmed if they’re too long.

How long the collar lasts

If you’re going to spend your money on a flea collar, make sure it’s actually effective and that its protection lasts a long time. Typically, flea collars last for 3+ months, and it’s best to avoid those that lose their effectiveness sooner than that. Ideally, you want flea collars to last more than five months and to be water-resistant (all of the products featured on our Top Picks list are!) as this prolongs their effectiveness even more.

Why Use Dog Flea Collars and How Effective Are They?

There’s a reason flea collars have been popular for many years and continue to be so – you just can’t beat their convenience. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, they actually work when used properly. But that brings us to the most obvious question – how effective are these devices really?

How effective a flea collar is will depend on a few factors, including:

Which active ingredients it uses: although natural flea collars tend to be gentler on the dog’s skin and coat, they’re usually not as effective as those that use harsher chemicals. Collars that contain actual pesticides, such as flumerhtin, imidacloprid and tetrachlorvinphos are generally much more effective at not only preventing pests but killing them too. The downside? They can be more irritating.

How long you’ve been using it: although all flea collars offer several months of protection, the longer you use them, the less effective they become. Generally speaking, most flea and tick collars are most effective during the first few months and then they gradually start losing their parasite-fighting abilities.

How you’ve been using them: you’ve probably noticed that all flea collars we reviewed are water-resistant or water-proof. We think this is an important feature of flea collars because even if you don’t wash/bathe your dog, he’s bound to get wet from time to time. And naturally, you don’t want the collar to stop working just because of a few raindrops. However, no matter how good the design of the collar is, too much water can ruin it. That’s why it’s not recommended to bathe your dog more than once a month while using the flea collar.

How bad the infestation is: finally, how bad the fleas and ticks are matters. If you can see hundreds of fleas and even a tick or two, a regular flea collar is not likely to get rid of them all. If things are very bad, you should first use a different anti-flea treatment, such as an anti-pest shampoo and then buy a flea collar. Even when using harsh pesticides, flea collars cannot deal with extremely bad flea infestations.

So, to sum it up – you might want to use flea collars because they’re:

Highly convenient

Effective if used properly

Affordable

Dogs usually don’t mind them at all.

Potential Contraindications With Dog Flea Collars

Because most flea collars use pesticides to kill and repel parasites, they can be too harsh for some dogs. And even those that are more of the natural side and use botanical ingredients and essential oils can be irritating to some pups. However, flea collars have been around for decades because of one simple thing – they’re effective. Yes, some canines may experience skin irritation and fur shedding due to harsh chemicals used in the collar, but that’s most definitely not the case with the majority of dogs. The point is – you never know until you try.

Nevertheless, it’s good to know that flea collars, like most anti-flea treatments, do come with some potential contraindications, including:

They can cause skin and eye irritation to pet owners and dogs

Can cause skin and fur irritation

May pose an entanglement risk for outdoor dogs (if too big)

May be highly irritating to children.

Saying all this, if you’re careful about using flea collars and you choose the right product for your pet (avoid using ingredients that have been shown to be irritating to your pet in the past), the risks are small. After all, fleas and ticks are incredibly stubborn parasites and you need highly effective things to get rid of them and that often includes some of the harsher chemicals.

FAQ:

Q: How does a flea collar work?

A: There are repellent and treating collars which means they work in two different ways.

Repellent

These flea collars emit a gas that repels fleas, ticks, lice, larvae, mosquitos and other pests (depending on the collar). Because they’re toxic to parasites, they help repel them from the wearer. As a result, they go as far as possible from the collar and those that stay get killed by the noxious gas. The con of this type of the collar is that its effectiveness is limited – basically, the collar will repel pests from the area around the dog’s neck but may not do a great job at repelling them from the rest of his body. This of course depends on the ingredients used, but repellent-only collars are, generally speaking, not great at getting rid of fleas and ticks long-term as they work only when the pests bite the animal. The good news is that repellent-only flea collars are pretty much a thing of the past.

Treating

Treating flea collars use pesticide ingredients that are not only repelling to pests but deadly too. They work by seeping medication into the dog’s skin and/or fur, thereby killing fleas, ticks, larvae, flea eggs and other pests on contact, meaning before they bite. They’re excellent at not only getting rid of existing fleas but at preventing future infestations as well.

Q: Are flea collars safe to use on my dog?

A: Most flea collars are perfectly safe to use on dogs – however, there are always exceptions. Whether or not your dog’s skin and coat will become irritated by some active ingredients depends on a few factors, but truthfully, you can never know until you try. The best thing you can do for your dog’s health is get a flea collar by a reputable brand and watch closely how your pet reacts in the next few days. If she seems fine as usual, carry on, but if she starts developing strange symptoms, whether it’s different behavior or irritated skin/fur, take it off.

Q: How long does a dog flea collar last?

A: How long will a flea collar last depends on the active ingredients it uses and its design. Most new flea collars last 5+ months.

Q: Can I put a flea collar on a dog after using frontline?

A: Mixing medication with other anti-flea treatments is not a wise idea – unless you’re doing it under expert’s supervision. You always want to talk to your vet first before mixing any anti-flea ant anti-tick treatments, including Frontline and flea collars.

Q: How long does it take for flea collars to start working?

A: Most new flea collars take only a few hours to start working, but you want to give them at least 6 hours. In any case, it’s best to wait a day or two to see if the collar is making any progress.

Q: Can I use a dog flea collar on puppies?

A: Yes, but because puppies have more sensitive immune systems than adult dogs, you need to make sure the flea collar you’re buying is specially formulated and designed for puppies.

Q: Can I leave my dog's flea collar on when swimming?

A: If the flea collar you purchased is marketed as water-resistant, then your dog can take an occasional swim with the collar on. Do know, however, that flea collars tend to lose their effectiveness the longer they are exposed to water. That’s why it’s not recommended to bathe your pet (with the collar on) more than once a month.

Our Top Pick

Whichever flea collar you choose from our Top Picks, we’re sure your pet will be flea and tick free in no time. However, we feel that the Seresto flea collar is hands down one of the best flea treatment for dogs. Here’s why: